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TOAM Launch 'Farmer Managed Seed Systems in Tanzania' Report
Dr. Mwatima Juma, Chair of the TOAM Board, cuts the ribbon to launch the Seed Report. (Left to Right: Ms. Zubeda Dadia, Prof. Joseph Hella, Dr. Mwatima Juma, Mr. Mussa Billegeya)
Link to Full Report in PDF format
Farmers prefer farmer-saved seed because it is more affordable, more available, and more reliable than commercial seeds bought from the dealers. Yet this widely adopted successful practice receives little or no attention or support from extension services, as the policy agenda seeks to replace farm-saved seeds with ‘formal’ seeds from the private seed companies.
The participatory study by SUA’s Bureau of Agricultural Consultancy and Advisory Service (BACAS) took evidence from 240 farmers in all eight agro-ecological zones of the country, along with quality declared seed (QDS) seed producers, and seed experts from central and local government. The purpose of the study was to shed light on the operation, benefits, success, and challenges of the farmer managed seed system in Tanzania and the support needed for its improvement. The study was commissioned by Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement, supported by Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung with funds from German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).